Die-changing mechanism for an extrusion press

ABSTRACT

The die is held in axial alignment with the billet container during extrusion by a reciprocable die slide and a cooperating locking member. The die slide has a U-shaped pocket in one end for releasably holding the die carrier and its supporting bolster. The locking member is adapted to engage in a peripheral groove in the die carrier. To change a die, the locking member is disengaged and the die slide is moved laterally to a position where a pivotable receptacle can engage the carrier. The receptacle is then pivoted to lift the carrier out of the pocket in the slide, and swing it to a position where the carrier and die can readily be lifted out of the receptacle. For greater convenience two receptacles may be provided that are movable axially along their common pivotal axis so that a new die can be loaded in one receptacle while the previously used die is being removed from the other receptacle.

0 United States Patent [111 5 1 [7 Inventor Robert Valks 3,025,9593/1962 Poleschuk 72/263 x [21] AP I N 5323; FOREIGN PATENTS p o. [22]Filed Sept. 24 1968 1,491,886 7/1967 France 72/263 [45] Patented Aug.17, 1971 Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanhiam [73] Assignee FarrelCorporation Assistant ExaminerR. M. Rogers Rochester, N.Y. Attorney-BEdward Shlesinger |54| DIE-(JUANl-ING MECHANISM FOR AN I EXTRUSION PRESS1 ABSTRACT: The die is held m 3X13]. alignment withthe billet 5chimszbrawing Figs container durmgextrusron by a reciprocable die slideand a cooperating locking member. The die slide has a U-shaped [52] US.Cl 72/263 pocket in one end f releasably holding h die carrier and itsCl s Bzlc 23/00 supporting bolster. The locking member is adapted toengage [50] Field of Search 72/263 in a peripheral groove in the diecal-rigen To Change a die the lockin member is disen a ed and the dieslide is moved [56] References Cited laterall y to a position wher e 5pivotable receptacle can engage UNITED STATES PATENTS the carrier. Thereceptacle is then pivoted to lift the carrier 3,] 16,833 1/1964 Vogel72/263 out of the pocket in the slide, and swing it to a position where3,385,090 5/1968 Walker.. 72/263 the carrier and die can readily belifted out of the receptacle. 3,391,564 7/1968 Linnerz 72/263 X Forgreater convenience two receptacles may be provided that 3,465,5659/1969 Groos.... 72/263 are movable axially along their common pivotalaxis so that a 3,175,384 3/1965 Groos.... 72/263 X new die can be loadedin one receptacle while the previously 2,963,151 12/1960 Kent 72/263used die is being removed from the other receptacle.

PAIENFEB mm 1 new SHEET 1 OF 2 ROBERT K. VALKS PAIENTED mm 1 m1 SHEU 0F2 ROBERT K. VALKS KTIJRNEY DIE-CIIANGING MECHANISM FOR AN EXTRUSIONPRESS This invention relates to extrusion presses, and more particularlyto a mechanism for changing dies in an extrusion press.

During extrusion, the die is held in axial alignment with the billetcontainer. In known presses to change the die, a slide, on which the diecarrier is mounted, is actuated to move the die carrier from centerposition to a position at one side of the press where the die can bemore conveniently removed from the press and replaced.

The primary object of this invention is to provide means for moving adie carrier to a more convenient location for removal of a die andsubstitution of another die.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the naturewhich will minimize handling during die changing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel diechangingmechanism of the type described, which may readily be automated toautomatically remove one die from a press and replace it with another. lA more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel diechanging mechanism capable of handling a plurality of dies, so that onedie can be removed from a die slide and immediately replaced by another.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from thespecification and from the recital of the appended claims, particularlywhen read in conjunction with the accompanyi ng drawings. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of an extrusion press made inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention, parts thereof beingcut away and shown in section; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG.1 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

In the drawings 22 denotes the conventional end platen, 23 designatesthe conventional main tie bolts (FIG. .2) and 24 denotes the usualcontainer housing of an extrusion press. Housing 24 is mounted in usualmanner on rods 25 (FIG. 2) for reciprocable movement parallel to the tiebolts 23.

20 denotes generally a die slide assembly for the press. This assembly20 comprises a die slide 30, which is mounted on guide brackets 32 and34 for rectilinear sliding movement on the face of the platen 22transversely of the axis of the container in housing 24. Slide isreciprocated by a piston which is connected to the slide 30 by pistonrod 42 and coupling 43. Piston 40 reciprocates in a cylinder 36, whichis mounted by bracket 38 on platen 22.

Removably seated coaxially in an arcuate or U-shaped pocket 45 in slide30 are a cylindrical die carrier 46, and the supporting bolster 48 (FIG.1 The forward'end of the carrier (lower end in FIG. 1) projects axiallybeyond the corresponding end of the pocket. Die carrier 46 has an axialbore 47 in which a die (not illustrated) is adapted to be secured in theusual manner. Pocket 45 faces diagonally upwardly and toward the left inFIG. 2, so that the carrier 46 and the associated bolster 48 may beinserted into, or withdrawn from, the pocket radially as indicated bythe arrows 49 in FIG. 2.

Mounted for sliding movement on slide 30 radially of carrier 46 isayoke-shaped locking collar or gate 52, which has a tongue53 that engagesin a groove 56 formed in the periphery of die carrier 46 coaxiallythereof, thereby to secure the die carrier against axial movement inpocket 45.

Locking member 52 is secured to a pair of spaced, parallel operatingrods 58 and 59, which extend slidably through die slide 30 and aresecured to a crossplate 64. Crossplate 64 is fastened to the piston rod62 of a piston (not illustrated) which reciprocates in a cylinder 60that is mounted to project laterally from slide 30.

Fixed at one end in the platen 22 at the side thereof remote fromcylinder 36, and projecting from the face of the platen parallel to themain tie bolts 23 and to the axis of the container I housing- 24, is ashaft 66. Mounted beneath and parallel to shaft 66 is a second shaft 67(FIG. 2), opposite ends of which are fixed in spaced brackets 68 thatare welded to an l-beam 69 that extends along the bottom of the press atone side thereof.

Shafts 66 and 67 support a die changing mechanism 70, comprising a pairof spaced, parallel arms 72 and 73, which are pivotally mounted on asleeve or bushing 74 (FIG. 2) that is mounted for axial sliding movementon shaft 66. At their free, or right-hand ends as illustrated in thedrawings, the arms 72 and 73 carry identical, generally arcuate orU-shaped shoes or receptacles 76 and 77, respectively, which areintegral with the respective arm 72, 73. Medially of its ends each shoe76, 77 is formed with an arcuate groove 78, disposed between arcuateflanges 79 and 80. In each shoe the flange 79 projects in a radialdirection slightly beyond the adjacent flange 80, and has a chamferedlower end 79', which registers with a like end 80' on flange 80.

Remote from the shoes 76 and 77, arms 72 and 73 have projections 82 and83, respectively, which are pivotally connected by a shaft 81 and a link85 to the upper end of a piston rod 86. The piston (not illustrated),that actuates rod 86, is housed in a cylinder 87, which is pivotallyconnected at its lower end by pin 88 to a collar 89 that is carried by abushing or sleeve 90, that is axially slidable on shaft 67.

Secured at their lower ends to opposite ends of the sleeve 90, andadjacent their upper ends to opposite ends of the sleeve 74, are two,spaced, parallel plates or webs 92, 93. Adjustably secured in a crossbar95, which extends between the upper ends of the plates 92 and 93 aretwo, adjustable stops 96, the lower ends of which overlie theprojections 82 and 83 on the arms 72 and 73, respectively. The bolts 96can be adjusted to limit pivotal movement of the arms 72 and 73clockwise (FIG. 2) about the axis of shaft 66.

Arms 72 and 73 are separated by a spacer 97; and end plates 92 and 93are separated from arms 72 or 73, respectively, by further spacers 98.The spacers are mounted on sleeve 74. Beneath shaft 66 the end plates 92and 93 are further secured in spaced relation to one another by areinforcing plate 99 (FIG. 2), opposite sides of which are bolted orotherwise secured to the confronting faces of end plates 92 and 93.

Secured to the side of platen 22 to the rear of the die-changingmechanism 70 is a cylinder 1104 (FIG. l). The rod 1105 (FIG. 2) of apiston (not shown), which reciprocates in this cylinder, is secured atits outer end by a plate 106 (FIG. 2) to the rear face of plate 92approximately medially of the upper and lower ends thereof. Cylinder 104is mounted so that piston rod 105 reciprocates parallel to shafts 66 and67, thereby to impart reciprocable motion to the mechanism 70 axially ofthese shafts.

Normally die slide 30 is positioned, as illustrated in the drawings, sothat the die carrier 46 registers axially with the main ram of thepress; and the locking member 52 is engaged in groove 56 in carrier 46to hold the carrier against axial movement relative to the bolsterassembly 48. Also, the piston rod 86 (FIG. 2) normally is in itsretracted position, so that arms 72 and 73 are held in retractedpositions. The piston rod 105, too, is in its retracted position, sothat the die-changing mechanism 70 is located on the shafts 66 and 67immediately adjacent to platen 22, that is, in its solid line positionin FIG. 1. In this position flange 80 of shoe 77 will register axiallywith groove 84 in carrier 46.

When it is desired to change dies piston rod 86 is actuated to causearms 72 and 73 to pivot (clockwise in FIG. 2) downwardly from theirinoperative positions (indicated in dash lines in FIG. 2) to theiroperative positions (shown in solid lines). The piston in cylinder 60 isnow actuated to move crossmember 64 towards the right in FIG. ll,thereby to retract the locking member 52, and to disengage the member 52from the die carrier 46. Simultaneously piston 40 is actuated to advancethe die slide 30 toward the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 far enough to causethe projecting end of carrier 46 to be pushed over the chamfered ends 79and 80 of the shoe 77 until the flange on the carrier 46 drops into theregistering recess 78 in the shoe 77, and the flange 80 on the shoeenters the an i groove 84 on the carrier 46 between the flange 110, anda furtherflange 112 formed on the carrier between grooves 56 and 84. I

The piston rod 86 is then retracted, causing arms 72 and 73 to bepivoted upwardly. This pivotal movement of the shoe 77 causes thecarrier 46 to be swung out of the U-shaped slot 45 in the slide 30upwardly from the broken line position at 46' in FIG. 2 to its inactiveposition illustrated'at 46" (FIG. 2) by broken lines. In this positionthe carrier can be removed from the shoe 77 and replaced by another, ifdesired. I

In use, it is preferred to employ two horseshoe-shaped :receptacles 76,77, and there may always be a new die in receptacle 76. As soon as theold carrier 46 has been swung into its inactive position (46'. then, thepiston in cylinder 104 may be actuated to advance its rod 105 axially,thereby shifting mechanism 70 to the position shown inpart by brokenlines in FIG. 1, and causing arm 72 and its shoe 76 to be shiftedaxially to the positions that were previously occupied v by the arm 73and its shoe 77. The piston in cylinder 87 is now once again energizedto advance its rod 86 upwardly, thus causing the arms 72 and 73 to bepivoted downwardly from retracted to transfer positions.

This downward pivotal movement of the arm 72 will cause the new diecarrier to be deposited in the pocket 45 in slide 30 adjacenttobolsterassembly 48. The piston in cylinder 60 is now again actuated to shiftlocking member 52 toward the left in FIGS; 1 and 2 into lockingengagement with the recess 56 in the newly deposited carrier 46. Thislocks the new die carrier in slide 30, so that the piston in cylinder 36can now be actuated to retract die slide 30 away from shoe 76, back toits extrusion position as illustrated in full lines in the drawings.Since during this retraction of slide 30, member 52 is in lockingposition, the new die carrier 46 will be drawn out of the shoe 76, andinto registry with the main ram of the press. The piston in cylinder 87may then again be energized to retract its rod 86 and swing the arms 72and 73 to their retracted positions.

The die carrier previously removed from the press by shoe 77 can then bereplaced by a new carrier and die.

When it is next decided to change the die, the arms 72 and 73 will againbe swung to their transfer positions. This time the die slide 30 willdeposit the die carrier, which is to be lrcmoved, into thenow-registering shoe 76, which will thereafter be elevated to retractedposition for removal of the die and its carrier The piston in cylinder104 is then actuated to retract rod 105 to shift the die changingmechanism 70 back to its full line position (FIG. 1), after which thearms 72, 73 may be pivoted downwardly to deposit the new die carrier anddie from the shoe 77 into the die slide 30.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a relatively simple andcompact mechanism for exchanging dies in extrusion presses has beenprovided. Moreover, this novel mechanism avoids unnecessary shutdowntime during the changing of a die.

While in the embodiment illustrated the arms 72 and 73 are mounted to bepivoted in unison about sleeve 74 by means of a vention following,'ingeneral, the principles of the invention and including such departuresfrom the present disclosure as come within known or customary practicein the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scopeof the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A die-changing mechanism for an extrusion press which is providedwith a container housing, comprising a die slide having thereon at oneend thereof an arcuateshaped pocket for holding a die carrier,

a transfer member having thereon'a single one-piece pocket forming anarcuate-shaped surface for holding a die carrier, the pocket in saidtransfer member confronting the pocket in said slide,

means for moving said transfer member onthe press into and out of atransfer position,

means for reciprocating said slide to move said carrier from a positionof axial alignment with said container and into axial alignment withsaid transfer member,

means on said slide to engage and effect transfer of a die carrier in adirection radially of the axes of said pockets from said transfer memberto said slide, when said slide and transfer members are in transferpositions and the transfer member is carrying a die carrier, uponmovement of said slide away from transfer position to effect transfer ofthe carrier into axial alignment with the container, and

means on said transfer member to engage and transfer a die carrierradially of the axes of said pockets from said slide to said transfermember, when said slide and transfer member are in transfer positionsand the slide is carrying a die carrier, upon movement of said transfermember away from transfer position.

2. A die-changing mechanism for an extrusion press, comprising arectilinearly reciprocable die slide having therein at one end thereofan arcuate-shaped pocket for housing at least a portion of a diecarrier,

a movable transfer member adjacent said slide and having therein asingle, one-piece pocket forming an arcuateshaped surface confrontingthe pocket of said slide for housing at least another portion of saidcarrier,

means mounting said slide and said transfer member on the press formovement into and out of transfer positions in which said pocketsregister coaxially with one another, and

means for releasably securing said carrier selectively in said pockets,and operative, when said slide and said member are withdrawn from theirtransfer positions, selectively to effect transfer of said carrier in adirection radially of the axes of said pockets from said slide to saidtransfer member, and vice versa.

3. A die-changing mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said meansfor securing the carrier in the pocket of said slide comprises a lockingmember relative to said slide and in paralsingle cylinder 87 and rod 86,it will be apparent that the arms could be mounted for pivotal movementby gearing, or for pivotal movement independently of one another onsleeve 74, as for example, by two separate cylinders similar to cylinder87. Both such cylinders, of course, would be mounted for axial shiftingmovement with the mechanism 70 on shafts 66 and 67. Moreover, thecylinder 104 may be actuated selectively to shift mechanism 70 in'anydesired manner. For example, if desired, the cylinder 104 may beactuated to return mechanism 70 to its full line position (FIG. 1)adjacent the platen 22 each time the empty shoe 76 is returned upwardlyto its inactive position following the deposit of a new carrier 46 inthe slide 30.

While the invention has been described in connection with a specificembodiment thereof, it will be understood, then, that it is capable offurthermodification, and this application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the inlelism thereto between alocking position, in which it engages said carrier to secure the carrierreleasably in the pocket of said slide, and a released position in whichit is disengaged from the carrier to permit movement of the carrierselectively out of said slide pocket 4. A die-changing mechanism asdefined in claim 3, wherein said carrier has at least one integralperipheral projection on it, and the other of said pockets has a recessin it selectively to receive said projection, thereby to secure thecarrier releasably in said other pocket, said carrier projects atopposite ends thereof into said pockets, in said slide and transfermember, respectively, when said slide and said transfer member are intheir transfer positions, said locking member projects into the pocketof said slide to engage and prevent movement of said carrier therefrom,when said locking member is in its locking position,

the weight of said carrier is operative to hold the projection on saidcarrier releasably in the recess in said other pocket,'thereby toprevent accidental removal of said carrier from said other pocket duringmovement thereof into and out of its transfer position, and

wherein said mounting means comprises means for reciprocating said slidehorizontally, and operable, when said transfer member is in its transferposition and said locking member is in its locking position, selectivelyto advance a carrier into, and to withdraw it from the pocket in saidtransfer member, and

means for pivoting said transfer member about an axis transverse to thepath of reciprocation of said slide, and operative, when said slide isin its transfer position, ans said locking member is in its releasedposition, selectively to advance a carrier into, and to withdraw itfrom, the pocket in said slide. 5. A die-changing mechanism as definedin claim 4, including

1. A die-changing mechanism for an extrusion press which is providedwith a container housing, comprising a die slide having thereon at oneend thereof an arcuate-shaped pocket for holding a die carrier, atransfer member having thereon a single one-piece pocket forming anarcuate-shaped surface for holding a die carrier, the pocket in saidtransfer member confronting the pocket in said slide, means for movingsaid transfer member on the press into and out of a transfer position,means for reciprocating said slide to move said carrier from a positionof axial alignment with said container and into axial alignment withsaid transfer member, means on said slide to engage and effect transferof a die carrier in a direction radially of the axes of said pocketsfrom said transfer member to said slide, when said slide and transfermembers are in transfer positions and the transfer member is carrying adie carrier, upon movement of said slide away from transfer position toeffect transfer of the carrier into axial alignment with the container,and means on said transfer member to engage and transfer a die carrierradially of the axes of said pockets from said slide to said transfermember, when said slide and transfer member are in transfer positionsand the slide is carrying a die carrier, upon movement of said transfermember away from transfer position.
 2. A die-changing mechanism for anextrusion press, coMprising a rectilinearly reciprocable die slidehaving therein at one end thereof an arcuate-shaped pocket for housingat least a portion of a die carrier, a movable transfer member adjacentsaid slide and having therein a single, one-piece pocket forming anarcuate-shaped surface confronting the pocket of said slide for housingat least another portion of said carrier, means mounting said slide andsaid transfer member on the press for movement into and out of transferpositions in which said pockets register coaxially with one another, andmeans for releasably securing said carrier selectively in said pockets,and operative, when said slide and said member are withdrawn from theirtransfer positions, selectively to effect transfer of said carrier in adirection radially of the axes of said pockets from said slide to saidtransfer member, and vice versa.
 3. A die-changing mechanism as definedin claim 2, wherein said means for securing the carrier in the pocket ofsaid slide comprises a locking member relative to said slide and inparallelism thereto between a locking position, in which it engages saidcarrier to secure the carrier releasably in the pocket of said slide,and a released position in which it is disengaged from the carrier topermit movement of the carrier selectively out of said slide pocket
 4. Adie-changing mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said carrier hasat least one integral peripheral projection on it, and the other of saidpockets has a recess in it selectively to receive said projection,thereby to secure the carrier releasably in said other pocket, saidcarrier projects at opposite ends thereof into said pockets, in saidslide and transfer member, respectively, when said slide and saidtransfer member are in their transfer positions, said locking memberprojects into the pocket of said slide to engage and prevent movement ofsaid carrier therefrom, when said locking member is in its lockingposition, the weight of said carrier is operative to hold the projectionon said carrier releasably in the recess in said other pocket, therebyto prevent accidental removal of said carrier from said other pocketduring movement thereof into and out of its transfer position, andwherein said mounting means comprises means for reciprocating said slidehorizontally, and operable, when said transfer member is in its transferposition and said locking member is in its locking position, selectivelyto advance a carrier into, and to withdraw it from the pocket in saidtransfer member, and means for pivoting said transfer member about anaxis transverse to the path of reciprocation of said slide, andoperative, when said slide is in its transfer position, ans said lockingmember is in its released position, selectively to advance a carrierinto, and to withdraw it from, the pocket in said slide.
 5. Adie-changing mechanism as defined in claim 4, including a secondtransfer member identical to the first-named transfer member pivoted ona common axis with said first-named transfer member, and means mountingsaid transfer members for movement axially in the direction of thepivotal axis of said transfer members and selectively into an operativeposition in which the pocket of the transfer member registers with thepocket in said slide, when the transfer member and said slide are movedto their transfer positions.